Container for food items

ABSTRACT

A method of providing packaged food items on display in a retail store includes preparing a plurality of food body portions of respective food items and loading each of the food items into respective cavities of a container. The container has a lid with at least one protrusion extending downward from a planar upper surface of the lid. After decorating each of the food body portions of the food items with a decoration portion on an upper surface of the food body portion, the lid is closed thereby moving a first retainer of the protrusion to overlie a first marginal portion adjacent the decoration portion of a first upper surface of a first food item and moving a second retainer of the protrusion to overlie a second marginal portion adjacent the decoration portion of a second upper surface of a second food item.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/454,728, filed Mar. 9, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,469, filed May 4, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/482,376, filed May 4, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The teachings herein relate to food containers and methods for preparing, storing and/or transporting food items.

INTRODUCTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,906 (Alessi) discloses a packaging system for tart shells that includes transparent lower and upper halves connected together and lockable together by protrusions and recesses in the halves. The upper and lower halves have one or more chambers defined by chamber halves formed in the lower and upper halves that combine together to form each chamber. In the preferred embodiments, anywhere from one to eight chambers may be provided in the packaging system. Concerning each such chamber, the lower half of the packaging system includes a recess sized and configured to receive the undersurface of a tart shell. The upper chamber half includes a generally dome-shaped portion designed to overlie a recess within the tart shell that is normally filled with an edible material and has a lower periphery spaced radially inwardly from the lower periphery of the lower chamber half. Radially outwardly from the lower periphery of the dome-shaped portions, a ledge is formed that overlies the outer periphery of the lower chamber half. This ledge is sized and configured to capture the periphery of a tart shell contained within the chamber and prevents movement of the tart shell out of snug engagement with the lower chamber half.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0242569 (Solmon) discloses a food product package capable of stabilizing a food product being stored therein. The food product package may include a base, a cover and an insert. The cover may be fastened to the base and the insert may be disposed between the base and the cover. A body of the base may include at least one pocket adapted to hold a food product, such as a cupcake. The insert may be positioned onto the base such that an edge portion of the insert may contact the food product. When the cover is fastened to the base, a portion of the cover may press the insert against the base to thereby securely hold the food product in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,375 (Truscell et al.) discloses a container that has a hollow base and a cap to store a filled food product having an edible shell with a peripheral flange. The base has a top member with an opening, a bottom member and an upstanding wall member that connects the top and bottom members. The opening in the top member and the upstanding wall member are dimensioned such that the shell is capable of being partially contained within and supported by the base while the flange of the shell is vertically spaced above the uppermost part of the base. The cap is connected to the base to enclose the filled food product. The cap is dimensioned and configured such that, when the filled food product is positioned in the base and the cap is connected to the based to enclose the food product, a middle portion of the cap engages the flange and projects downwardly therefrom, and a lower portion of the cap closes the cap to the base such that the cap presses the filled food product to the base. The container thereby prevents movement of the filled food product relative to the base, while the flange is vertically spaced above the uppermost part of the base to enable the filled food product to be gripped by the flange for easy removal from the base.

SUMMARY

This summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teaching, but not to define any invention. In general, disclosed herein are one or more containers and methods using the containers to store and transport food items, including decorated food items.

In accordance with at least one broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container includes a base having a base peripheral edge and at least a first cavity and a second cavity in the base to receive respective ones of the food items. The first cavity may include a first inner surface extending along a first cavity axis generally terminating in a first cavity rim and the second cavity may include a second inner surface extending along a second cavity axis and generally terminating in a second cavity rim. A first food item may be item nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a first outer surface supported by the first inner surface of the first cavity and a first upper surface. The first upper surface may have a first decorated section at least partially bounded by a first food item undecorated peripheral section. A second food item may be nested in the second cavity. The second food item may have a second outer surface supported by the second inner surface of the second cavity and a second upper surface. The second upper surface may have a second decorated section at least partially bounded by a second food item undecorated peripheral section. The combination may include a lid having a lid peripheral edge and an upper lid surface. The lid may be movable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge is engaged with the base peripheral edge and the upper lid surface covers at least a portion of each cavity, and an open position in which the lid peripheral edge and base peripheral edge are disengaged to allow access to the food items. At least a first protrusion may extend downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position. The first protrusion may have a distal end spaced apart from the upper lid surface. The first protrusion may include a first protrusion first retainer adjacent the distal end of the first protrusion. When the lid is in the closed position the first protrusion first retainer may be proximate the upper surface of the first food item and may overlie a portion of the first food item undecorated peripheral section of the first food item to inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity to retain the first food item within the first cavity without damaging the first decorated section when the container is inverted. The first protrusion may also include a first protrusion second retainer adjacent the distal end of the first protrusion. When the lid is in the closed position the first protrusion second retainer may be proximate the upper surface of the second food item and may overlie a portion of the undecorated peripheral section of the second food item to inhibit relative axial movement between the second food item and the second cavity to retain the second food item within the second cavity without damaging the second decorated section when the container is inverted.

When the lid is in the closed position the first protrusion first retainer may contact the first food item undecorated peripheral section.

When the lid is in the closed position the spacing in a direction parallel to the first cavity axis between the first food item undecorated peripheral section and the first protrusion first retainer may be between about 0 mm and about 10 mm.

When the lid is in the closed position an uppermost portion of the decorated portion of the first food item may be axially spaced apart from the upper lid surface by a decoration spacing distance and the first protrusion first retainer may be axially spaced apart from the first food item undecorated peripheral section by a retainer spacing distance that is less than the decoration spacing distance.

The first cavity may have a first cavity sidewall and a first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity sidewall may extend downwardly from the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity rim and the first cavity sidewall may be coaxial about the first cavity axis. The first protrusion may extend lengthwise along a first protrusion axis, and the first protrusion first retainer may terminate laterally at a first retainer edge. The first retainer edge may be disposed laterally intermediate the first cavity rim and the first cavity axis when the lid is in the closed position.

The first protrusion first retainer further comprises a first abutment surface extending laterally outwardly from the first retainer edge towards the first protrusion axis, and when the lid is in the closed position the first abutment surface generally faces the at least a portion of the first food item undecorated peripheral section of the first food item in the first cavity and is generally parallel to a plane containing the first cavity rim.

The first cavity may have a first cavity depth measured from the plane containing the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall in the direction the first cavity axis. When the lid is in the closed position a longitudinal distance between the first abutment surface and the plane containing the first cavity rim may be less than 15% of the first cavity depth.

The first retainer edge may have a length that is between about 5% and about 50% of the length of the first cavity rim.

The container may be of one-piece, integrally formed unitary construction comprising the base, lid, the first protrusion extending downwardly from the lid, the first protrusion first retainer and the first protrusion second retainer, and a hinge that pivotably connects the lid and the base for moving the lid between the open and closed positions.

A first protrusion engagement member may be provided on the distal end of the first protrusion and a mating first base engagement member may be on the base. When the lid is in the closed position the first protrusion engagement member may engage the first base engagement member to laterally align the first protrusion relative to the base.

The lid may include a lid sidewall extending between the lid peripheral edge and the upper lid surface. A sidewall first retainer may extend laterally inward from the lid sidewall. When the lid is in the closed position the sidewall first retainer may extend laterally inwardly from the lid sidewall and may overlie a portion of the first food item undecorated peripheral section to inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity to retain the first food item within the first cavity without damaging the first decorated section when the container is inverted.

When the lid is in the closed position the sidewall first retainer may extend laterally inward of the first cavity rim.

The first food item may include an edible body portion and a disposable wrapper at least partially surrounding the edible body portion and disposed between the body portion and the first inner surface. The wrapper may include an exposed upper wrapper edge and may be removable from the edible body portion prior to consumption of the first food item. The first food item undecorated peripheral section may include the upper wrapper edge.

The edible body portion may include a body portion upper surface comprising the decorated section and an undecorated body surface portion surrounding the decorated section and the first food item undecorated peripheral section may include the undecorated surface portion of the edible body portion.

The first protrusion may include a hollow interior and the lid upper surface may include a lid aperture in communication with the hollow interior. The lid aperture and hollow interior may be sized to accommodate insertion of a thumb or a finger of a user grasping the container.

The base peripheral edge may include a base sealing member having at least first, second and third base sealing surfaces, and the lid peripheral edge may include a lid sealing member having at least corresponding first, second and third lid sealing surfaces. When the lid is in the closed position, each base sealing surface may engage one corresponding lid sealing surface to seal the container.

One of the base sealing member and the lid sealing member may include a tongue member and the other of the base sealing member and the lid sealing member comprises a groove sized to snugly and releasably receive the tab member when the lid is in the closed position.

The tongue member may include at least one first securing member and the groove may include at least one complimentary second securing member. When the lid is in the closed position the first securing member may engage the second securing member to releasably secure the lid in the closed position.

The tongue member may include an inner seal edge and an outer seal edge that is laterally spaced outwardly from the inner seal edge by a seal offset distance. The first, second and third base sealing surfaces may define respective surface widths, and the sum of the widths of the first, second and third base sealing surfaces may be greater than the seal offset distance.

According to another broad aspect of the teachings described herein a combination of a container and a plurality of food items nested within the container may include base having a base peripheral edge and a first cavity in the base. The first cavity may include a first inner surface extending along a first cavity axis and generally terminating in a first cavity rim. A first food item may be nested in the first cavity. The first food item may include a body portion having an upper body surface. The body upper surface may have a decorated section. The first food item may include a disposable wrapper provided on the body portion and disposed between the body portion and the first inner surface. The wrapper may include an exposed upper wrapper edge at least partially surrounding the decorated section of the upper body surface. The wrapper may be removable from the body portion prior to consumption of the first food item. The container may include a lid having a lid peripheral edge and an upper lid surface. The lid may be movable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge is engaged with the base peripheral edge and the upper lid surface covers at least a portion of each cavity, and an open position in which the lid peripheral edge and base peripheral edge are disengaged to allow access to the food items. A first retainer may be on the lid. When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may extend generally inwardly toward the first cavity axis proximate the first food item and may overlie a first portion of the upper wrapper edge. When the container is inverted with the lid in the closed position relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity may be limited by contact between the first retainer and the upper wrapper edge to inhibit damaging the decorated section.

When the lid is in the closed position the sidewall first retainer may the first portion of the upper wrapper edge.

When the lid is in the closed position the sidewall first retainer may be axially spaced apart from the first portion of the upper wrapper edge by between about 0 mm and about 10 mm.

When the lid is in the closed position an uppermost portion of the decorated portion of the first food item may be axially spaced apart from the upper lid surface by a decoration spacing distance and the first protrusion first retainer may be axially spaced apart from a plane containing the wrapper upper edge by a retainer spacing distance that is less than the decoration spacing distance.

The first cavity may have a first cavity sidewall and a first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity sidewall may extend downwardly from the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity rim and the first cavity sidewall may be coaxial about the first cavity axis. The first retainer may terminate laterally at a first retainer edge that is laterally intermediate the first cavity rim and the first cavity axis when the lid is in the closed position.

A second retainer may be disposed on the lid and when the lid is closed the second retainer may be proximate the first food item and may overlie a second portion of the upper wrapper edge whereby when the container is inverted with the lid in the closed position relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity may be limited by contact between the second retainer and the upper wrapper edge.

A first protrusion may extend downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position. The first protrusion may have a distal end spaced apart from the upper lid surface. When the lid is in the closed position the distal end of the first protrusion may be proximate the upper surface of the first food item and the distal end of the first protrusion may provide the second retainer.

The first protrusion may include a hollow interior and the lid upper surface may include a lid aperture in communication with the hollow interior. The lid aperture and hollow interior may be sized to accommodate insertion of a thumb or a finger of a user grasping the container.

According to another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a container for holding a plurality of food items may include a base having a base peripheral edge and plurality of cavities in the base. Each cavity may have an inner surface generally terminating in a cavity rim. The plurality of cavities may include at least a first cavity having a first cavity rim and a second cavity having a second cavity rim. The container may include a lid having a lid peripheral edge and an upper lid surface. The lid may be moveable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge engages the base peripheral edge and the upper lid surface covers at least a portion of each cavity, and an open position to allow access to the plurality of cavities. At least one protrusion may extend downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position. The protrusion may have a distal end that is spaced apart from the upper lid surface. A first retainer may be adjacent the distal end of the at least one protrusion. When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may be positioned proximate the first cavity to engage a first food item nested within the first cavity so that when the lid is in the closed position and the container is inverted relative movement between the first food item and the first cavity is limited by contact between the first food item and the first retainer. A second retainer may be adjacent the distal end of the at least one protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the second retainer may be positioned proximate the second cavity to engage a second food item nested within the second cavity so that when the lid is in the closed position and the container is inverted relative movement between the second food item and the second cavity is limited by contact between the second food item and the second retainer.

When the lid is in the closed position the first retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the first cavity rim and may overlie a portion of the first cavity.

The first cavity may have a first cavity sidewall and a first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity sidewall may extend downwardly from the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity rim and the first cavity sidewall may be coaxial about a first cavity axis. The first protrusion may extend longitudinally along a first protrusion axis. The first retainer may terminate laterally at a first retainer edge that is laterally intermediate the first cavity rim and the first cavity axis when the lid is in the closed position.

The first retainer may also include a first abutment surface extending laterally outwardly from the first inner edge. When the lid is in the closed position the first abutment surface may be generally downward facing and may be generally parallel to a plane containing the first cavity rim.

The first cavity may have a first cavity depth measured in the direction the cavity axis. When the lid is in the closed position a longitudinal distance between the first abutment surface and the first cavity rim may be less than about 15% of the first cavity depth.

A length of the first retainer edge comprises between 5%-35% of the length of the first cavity rim.

When the lid is in the closed position the second retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the second cavity rim and may overlie a portion of the second cavity.

The container may be of one-piece, integrally formed unitary construction comprising the base, lid, the first protrusion extending from the lid, the first retainer and the second retainer and a hinge that pivotably connects the lid and the base for moving the lid between the open and closed positions.

A protrusion engagement member may be provided on the distal end of the at least one protrusion and a mating base engagement member may be on the base. When the lid is in the closed position the protrusion engagement member may engage the base engagement member.

The lid may include a lid sidewall extending between the lid peripheral edge and the upper lid surface. A sidewall retainer may extend laterally inward from the lid sidewall. When the lid is in the closed position the sidewall retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the first cavity.

According to yet another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a unitary one-piece container for holding a plurality of food items may include a base having a base peripheral edge and at least four cavities arranged in a two-by-two pattern in the base. Each cavity may be configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of food items and may have a cavity inner surface generally terminating at a cavity rim and extending along a cavity axis. The at least four cavities may include a first cavity, a second cavity, a third cavity and a fourth cavity. The container may include a lid having a lid peripheral edge and an upper lid surface. A portion of the lid peripheral edge may be hingedly connected to the base peripheral edge so that the lid is moveable between a closed position, in which the lid peripheral edge engages the base peripheral edge to seal the container and the upper lid surface covers at least a portion the first, second, third and fourth cavities, and an open position to allow access to the first, second, third and fourth cavities. A retaining protrusion may extend longitudinally from the upper lid surface. The retaining protrusion may have a distal end that is spaced apart from the upper lid surface. When the lid is in the closed position the retaining protrusion may extend from the upper lid surface proximate the base and may be disposed between the first, second, third and fourth cavities in a lateral direction. A protrusion first retainer may be adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer may be disposed proximate the first cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a first food item nested within the first cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity. A protrusion second retainer may be adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion second retainer may be disposed proximate the second cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a second food item nested within the second cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the second food item and the second cavity. A protrusion third retainer may be adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion third retainer may be disposed proximate the third cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a third food item nested within the third cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the third food item and the third cavity. A protrusion fourth retainer may be adjacent the distal end of the retaining protrusion, and when the lid is in the closed position the protrusion fourth retainer may be disposed proximate the fourth cavity to overlie an undecorated portion of a fourth food item nested within the fourth cavity to inhibit relative axial movement between the fourth food item and the fourth cavity.

When the lid is in the closed position, the protrusion first retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the first cavity, the protrusion second retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the second cavity, the protrusion third retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the third cavity and the protrusion fourth retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the fourth cavity.

The first cavity may have a first cavity sidewall and a first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity sidewall may extend downwardly from the first cavity rim to the first cavity bottom wall. The first cavity rim and the first cavity sidewall may be coaxial about a first cavity axis. The first protrusion may extend longitudinally along a first protrusion axis, and the first retainer may terminate laterally at a first retainer edge. The first retainer edge may be disposed laterally intermediate the first cavity rim and the first cavity axis when the lid is in the closed position.

The first retainer further may include a first abutment surface extending laterally outwardly from the first inner edge. When the lid is in the closed position the first abutment surface may be generally downward facing and is generally parallel to a plane containing the first cavity rim.

The first cavity may have a first cavity depth measured in the direction the cavity axis, and when the lid is in the closed position a longitudinal distance between the first abutment surface and the first cavity rim may be less than about 15% of the first cavity depth.

A length of the first retainer edge may be between 5%-35% of the length of the first cavity rim.

The first protrusion may include a hollow interior and the lid upper surface comprises a lid aperture in communication with the hollow interior, the lid aperture and hollow interior sized to accommodate insertion of a thumb or a finger of a user grasping the container.

According to yet another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a container may include a base having a base peripheral edge and a plurality of cavities in the base. Each cavity may be for holding a respective food item and may have an open upper end bounded by a cavity rim. The container may include a lid having a lid peripheral edge and a covering surface laterally internal of the lid peripheral edge. The lid may be movable relative to the base between an open position in which the base is generally uncovered by the lid, and a closed position in which the lid generally covers the base and the lid peripheral edge is engaged with the base peripheral edge. At least one retaining protrusion may depend downwardly from the covering surface of the lid. The retaining protrusion may extend along a protrusion axis that is oriented generally vertically when the lid is in the closed position. The protrusion axis may be laterally spaced between two or more of the plurality of cavities. A plurality of retainers may be associated with each cavity and affixed to the lid. Each retainer may extend laterally inwardly of the cavity rim of the respective cavity when the lid is in the closed position. At least one of the retainers associated with each cavity may be disposed on a respective one of the at least one retaining protrusions.

The container may be of one-piece, integrally formed, unitary construction, the container further comprising a hinge member connecting together the lid and the base, the hinge member defining a hinge axis about which the lid is pivotable relative to the base when moving the lid between the open and closed positions.

The at least one retaining protrusion may include a first protrusion having a distal end spaced apart from the cover surface of the lid and a plurality of retainers adjacent the distal end.

Each cavity may have a respective cavity axis extending generally parallel to the protrusion axis when the lid is in the closed position. When the lid is in the closed position each retainer may be disposed laterally intermediate the cavity rim and cavity axis of the respective cavity.

The plurality of cavities may include a first cavity having a first cavity axis, a second cavity having a second cavity axis, a third cavity having a third cavity axis and a fourth cavity having a fourth cavity axis. When the lid is in the closed position, the at least one retaining protrusion may be disposed laterally between the first, second, third and fourth cavities and the protrusion axis may be generally equidistant from the first, second, third and fourth cavity axes.

When the lid is in the closed position, the protrusion axis may be located at the intersection of a first plane extending between the first and third cavity axes, and a second plane extending between the second and fourth cavity axes.

According to yet another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a method of providing packaged food items on display in a retail store may include the steps of:

-   -   a) preparing a plurality of food body portions of respective         food items in a preparation facility;     -   b) decorating each of the food body portions of the food items         with a decoration portion on an upper surface of the food base         portion;     -   c) after steps a) and b), loading each of the decorated food         items into respective cavities of a container, the container may         have a lid with at least one protrusion, the protrusion may have         at least a first retainer and a second retainer extending         laterally outwardly from a distal end of the protrusion;     -   d) after step (c), closing the lid, wherein closing the lid         moves the first retainer to engage a first marginal portion of a         first upper surface of a first food item in the container and         moves the second retainer to engage a second marginal portion of         a second upper surface of a second food item in the container;         and     -   e) after step (d), transporting the container away from the         preparation facility for indirect or direct delivery to the         retail store.

After steps (a) and (b), and before step (e), the method may include freezing the decorated food items.

After step (e), the method may include placing the container for display on a sales shelf in the retail store.

Before said placing step, the method may include thawing the decorated food items.

According to yet another broad aspect of the teachings described herein, a method of packaging decorated food items for transport may include the step of preparing a first food item in a preparation facility. The first food item may include an edible body portion. The edible body portion may include an upper body surface and a side surface. The side surface may be at least partially covered by a removable wrapper. The removable wrapper may terminate in an upper wrapper edge at least partially surrounding the upper body surface.

The method may also include decorating at least a portion of the upper body surface with an edible decoration portion to provide a decorated section and loading the first food item into a respective first cavity in a base of a container. The cavity may extend along a cavity axis and the container having a closable lid with at least first and second retainers.

The method may include closing the lid, wherein closing the lid moves the first and second retains to overlie respective first and second portions of the upper wrapper edge whereby when the container is inverted with the lid closed relative axial movement between the first food item and the first cavity is limited by contact between the upper wrapper edge and at least one of the first and second retainers.

The method may also include transporting the container away from the preparation facility for indirect or direct delivery to the retail store.

The method may also include freezing the decorated food items.

The method may also include placing the container for display on a sales shelf in the retail store.

The method may also include thawing the decorated food items.

According to some aspects, a method of packaging decorated food items for transport includes: a) nesting a plurality of food items in a container, the plurality of food items including a first food item and at least a second food item, each food item comprising: (i) an edible body portion prepared by baking an amount of batter contained in a wrapper on a baking pan, the edible body portion comprising a baked upper body surface and a baked side surface, the baked side surface at least partially covered by and removably bonded to the wrapper, the wrapper terminating in an upper wrapper edge, including a first upper wrapper edge adjacent the baked upper body surface of the body portion of the first food item and a second upper wrapper edge adjacent the baked upper body surface of the body portion of the second food item; (ii) an edible decoration portion on the baked upper surface providing the first food item with a first decorated section at least partially bounded by a first undecorated marginal section and the second food item with a second decorated section at least partially bounded by a second undecorated marginal section; and wherein the nesting step comprises transferring the first and second body portions from the baking pan into respective first and second cavities in a base of the container, the first and second cavities having open upper ends generally bounded by a first cavity rim and a second cavity rim, respectively, and the container having a closable lid with a retaining protrusion extending downwardly from an upper lid surface of the lid, and at least a first and a second retainer extending laterally outward from a distal end of the retaining protrusion. The method further includes b) after step a), closing the lid, wherein closing the lid moves the first retainer to overlie the first upper wrapper edge and the first undecorated marginal section of the first food item and moves the second retainer to overlie the second upper wrapper edge and the second undecorated marginal section of the second food item, whereby when the container is inverted with the lid closed, axial movement of the first food item relative to the first cavity is limited by contact between the first retainer and at least one of the first upper wrapper edge and the first undecorated marginal section of the first food item, and axial movement of the second food item relative to the second cavity is limited by contact between the second retainer and at least one of the second upper wrapper edge and the second undecorated marginal section of the second food item.

According to another example, a method of packaging decorated food items for visually appealing display in a retail store includes a) closing a container lid onto a container base to move the lid to a closed position, wherein the container lid and the container base are of transparent plastic material and of unitary, one-piece construction, the container lid pivotable relative to the container base about an integral hinge. The container base includes at least one set of adjacent cavities, each cavity having an open upper end generally bounded by a cavity rim, and each cavity holding a respective food item, each food item comprising a baked body portion formed of batter baked within and bonded to a wrapper, and a decorated portion on a central decorated section of an upper surface of the baked body portion, the central decorated section at least partially bounded by an undecorated section. The lid includes a lid peripheral edge and a substantially planar upper lid surface connected about a perimeter thereof to the lid peripheral edge by a lid sidewall, and a retaining protrusion extending downward from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion including a plurality of protrusion retainers extending laterally outward from a distal end of the retaining protrusion toward respective ones of the adjacent cavities. The closing step moves the protrusion retainers into position extending laterally inward of the respective rims of the adjacent cavities and overlying an upper wrapper edge of each wrapper and the undecorated section of the baked body portions of the respective food items in the adjacent cavities. Axial movement of each food item relative to each respective cavity rim is limited by contact between the respective protrusion retainer and at least one of the upper wrapper edge and the undecorated section of the baked body portion of the respective food item.

DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of containers that include one or more aspects of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with its lid in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1 with its lid in a closed position and containing cupcakes;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the container of FIG. 3, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of detail area 5 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the container of FIG. 3, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the detail area 7 on FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container, with its lid in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 7, with its lid in a closed position;

FIG. 10 is a section view of the container of FIG. 8, taken along line 10-10 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of detail region 11, on FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of another example of a container, with its lid in a closed position;

FIG. 13 is a top view of another example of a container;

FIG. 13a is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 13, taken along line 13 a-13 a in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the container of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method of providing packaged decorated food items for display in a retail store.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses, and/or methods will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of the invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses or methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Containers for storing or transporting food items can include a base and an openable lid. The lid and base can be sealingly connectable to each other when the lid is in the closed position to help maintain the freshness of the food items in the container. The lid can be removable from the base (to an open position) to allow a user to open the container and access the food items.

The base of the container can include a plurality of cavities for holding the food items. For example, if the food items are cupcakes, the base of a container can include a plurality of cavities that are configured to snugly receive at least a portion of the cupcakes, for example the baked, body portion of the cupcake.

After each cupcake is prepared and decorated it can be placed within a respective cavity in a container. Nesting each cupcake (or other food item) within a respective cavity can help retain the cupcake in two, lateral directions, for example the “x” and “y” directions or the left-right and forward-backward directions. Nesting the cupcakes in this manner may help prevent the cupcakes from shifting laterally relative to the container base when the container is transported, for example when carried in a delivery truck. Preventing lateral movement of the cupcakes may help prevent neighbouring cupcakes from sliding and contacting each other or the sides of the container. Contact between adjacent cupcakes or between the cupcakes and the container may damage the cupcakes. Such contact may also disturb or damage any frosting or other decorations provided on top of the cup cake.

While nesting the cupcakes in individual cavities may help reduce lateral movement, in some instances it may not be sufficient to inhibit vertical movement of the cupcakes relative to the container. For example, with some containers known in the prior art, jostling or shaking of the container (for example, when loaded on a delivery truck traveling along a bumpy road), cupcakes (or other food items) loaded in the container may shift vertically, i.e. in the “z” direction, relative to the container. Containers may also be inverted in the retail store by a customer inspecting the container, during the purchasing and/or checkout process, and/or at other times. Such vertical shifts may cause portions of the cupcakes, particularly the upper, decorated or frosted portions, to contact an upper portion of the container (for example the inner surface of the lid). Such contact may be generally undesirable for several reasons, including because it can ruin the aesthetic appeal of the decoration, can cause unsightly sticking of the decoration material to the inner surface of the lid, and can leave a consumer of the cupcake without the enjoyment of eating the icing or other decoration portion of the cupcake. The Applicant has discovered that providing retainers in the container may help inhibit vertical movement of a cupcake relative to its cavity. That is, when the container is tilted and/or inverted, axial or vertical movement of the cupcakes relative to their respective cavities may be limited by contact between the container's retainers and some portion of the food item. Optionally, the retainers and cupcake can be configured so that the retainers will contact undecorated portions of the cupcake, for example the undecorated peripheral section of the cupcake that surrounds the central decorated section, without contacting the decorated section or otherwise contacting the frosting.

Inhibiting the vertical or axial movement of the cupcakes relative to their respective cavities may help secure the cupcakes within their cavities and may help prevent unwanted contact between the cupcakes, particularly the decorated portions of the cupcakes, and the container lid (or other portions of the container, or other food items).

When using known food containers, one method of preventing damage to the frosting or other decorative portions of a food item, such as a cupcake, is to provide the cupcakes in an undecorated state (i.e. having no frosting or decoration that can be damaged during shipping) at a desired retail store. The undecorated food items (also called ‘blanks’) can be produced (e.g. baked) on-site at the store, or they can be produced off-site and shipped in an undecorated state to the store. However, if decorated cupcakes are desired, an in-store decorator employee is generally required. In some circumstances it may not be feasible or desirable to provide an in-store decorator in each retail store. The Applicant has discovered that it may be advantageous to decorate the cupcakes at a preparation facility before they are delivered to a retail grocery store, and then ship the cupcakes in a decorated state. For example, the cupcakes can be decorated at their manufacturing location (where the blanks are produced), or optionally at another intermediate location, such as a decorating facility. Decorating the blanks in a higher volume, mass-production facility may justify the investment of using automated equipment to apply the decorating. Utilizing automated decorating equipment may increase consistency of the decoration, allow for greater flexibility and complexity of the decoration being applied, and may reduce labour costs, particularly at the retail store level.

One method of providing packaged decorated food articles, for example cupcakes, for display and sale in a retail store can include the step of preparing a plurality of blanks (e.g. cupcake body portions) in a preparation facility. The cupcake bodies can then be decorated with a decoration portion (e.g. frosting, etc.) on an upper surface of the blank. After the cupcakes are decorated they can be loaded into respective cavities of a container. Optionally, the container can be a container having a lid with at least one protrusion that has at least a first retainer and a second retainer extending laterally outwardly from a distal end of the protrusion, as described in more detail below. The container lid can then be closed. If the container contains at least two cupcakes, closing the lid can move the first retainer to engage a first marginal portion of a first upper surface of a first cupcake in the container. Closing the lid can also move the second retainer to engage a second marginal portion of a second upper surface of a second cupcake in the container. A user can then transport the container away from the preparation facility for indirect or direct delivery to the retail store.

Optionally, the decorated food articles can be frozen prior to being shipped (i.e. at the preparation facility). Containers containing a plurality of frozen decorated cupcakes can then be displayed in-store in their frozen state (e.g. in a grocer's freezer section). Alternatively, the decorated cupcakes can be thawed prior to being displayed in-store.

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 100 includes a base 102 having a base peripheral edge 104, a plurality of cavities 106 (including cavities 106 a, 106 b, 106 c and 106 d) in the base 102. The container 100 can be configured to store, display and/or transport a plurality of food items.

The container 100 also includes a lid 108 having a lid peripheral edge 110, an upper lid surface 112 (see also FIG. 6) and a lid sidewall 114 extending between the lid peripheral edge and the upper lid surface. The lid 108 is movable between a closed position (FIG. 3), in which the lid peripheral edge 110 is engaged with the base peripheral edge 104 and the upper lid surface 112 covers at least a portion of each cavity 106, and an open position (FIG. 1) in which the lid peripheral edge 110 and base peripheral edge 104 are disengaged to allow access to the interior of the container 100. In the illustrated example, one edge of the lid 108 is connected to the base 102 by an integral hinge 116 (FIG. 2). In this configuration, the lid 108 can pivot relative to the base 102 between the open and closed positions. Alternatively, the lid 108 maybe detachable from the base 102.

Optionally, when the lid 108 is in the closed position the engagement of the peripheral edges of the base and lid 102, 108, can provide a generally air-tight seal. Providing a seal around the periphery of the container 100 may help keep the cupcakes or other food items fresh while they are stored in the container. Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example, the base 102 includes a base sealing member in the form of an upstanding tongue member 118 that extends around the perimeter of the base 102. Referring to FIG. 5, the tongue member 118 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape, and includes a generally inward facing first base sealing surface 119 a, a generally upward facing second base sealing surface 119 b and a generally outward facing third base sealing surface 119 c. Each base sealing surface 119 defines a corresponding surface width 120 a, 120 b and 120 c (see FIGS. 2 and 5). Optionally, the surface widths 120 a-c may be the same, or alternatively, as in the illustrated example, the tongue 118 may be configured so that the surface widths 120 a-c are different.

The lid 108 includes a corresponding lid sealing member, which may be any element that is configured to sealingly engage with the base sealing member. Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example, the lid sealing member includes a groove 122 that extends around the perimeter of the lid 108. The groove 122 is sized to snugly and releasably receive the tongue 118 extending from the base 102. Referring to FIG. 5, the groove 122 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the shape of the tongue 118. Alternatively, the tongue 118 and groove 122 may have any suitable, complimentary shapes.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example, the groove 122 is bounded by a first lid sealing surface 124 a, a second lid sealing surface 124 b and a third lid sealing surface 124 c, each having respective widths 126 a, 126 b and 126 c (see FIGS. 2 and 5). In the illustrated example, the lid sealing surfaces 124 a-c are sized to be substantially the same size as their corresponding base sealing surfaces 119 a-c so that when the lid 108 is closed, the first lid sealing surface 124 a overlaps and engages the first base sealing surface 119 a, the second lid sealing surface 124 b overlaps and engages the second base sealing surface 119 b and the third lid sealing surface 124 c overlaps and engages the third base sealing surface 119 c.

When the lid 108 is closed, an air flow passage is defined between the opposed pairs of sealing surfaces 119 a-c and 124 a-c. In the illustrated example, the length of the air flow passage is defined by the sum of the widths 120 a-c of the base sealing surfaces 119 a-c. Preferably, the engagement between the tongue 118 and groove 122 (i.e. contact between opposed sealing surfaces 119 a-c and 124 a-c) is sufficient to substantially inhibit air flow in and out of the container through the air flow passage to help preserve the freshness of the cupcakes, but is not so tight as to significantly impede opening the container 100. Configuring the tongue 118 and groove 122 to be generally easy to separate from each other may help reduce the amount of force a user must apply to open the container 100, and/or may help lessen the jolt or shock to the container 100 when the lid 108 is opened. This may help reduce the likelihood that cupcakes in the base 102 will be jostled or shaken, potentially damaging their frosting, when the lid 108 is opened.

Optionally, the tongue 118 and groove 122 can be sized so that engagement between the base sealing surfaces 119 a-c and lid sealing surfaces 124 a-c provides very little resistance to opening and/or closing the lid 108. In this configuration, the container 100 may include one or more engagement or securement members that may be used to hold the lid in the closed position, without relying on the frictional engagement between the base and lid sealing surfaces 119 a-c and 124 a-c. Referring to FIG. 3 In the illustrated example, the container 100 includes a plurality of securement members 128 spaced around the perimeter of the base 102 and the lid 108. Referring to FIG. 1, each securement member includes a first detent member 130 extending inwardly into the groove 122, and a corresponding second detent member 132 provided on the tongue 118. When the lid is closed (FIG. 5), the first detent members 130 are received in the second detent members 132 to help hold the lid 108 in the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated configuration, the inner most edge 134 of the first base sealing surface 119 a defines an inner seal edge and the outermost edge 136 of the third base sealing surface defines 119 c an outer seal edge. The inner and outer seal edges 134 and 136 are separated by a lateral seal offset distance 138. The seal offset distance 138 can be any suitable distance, including, for example, between about 3 mm and about 20 mm. In the illustrated example, the seal offset distance 138 is less than length of the air flow passage formed between the mating faces 119 a-c and 124 a-c of the tongue 118 and the groove 122, respectively.

Preferably, the lid 108 is at least partially transparent. Providing a transparent lid may allow a user to see into the interior of the container while the lid is closed. In the example illustrated, the lid and base are transparent and are integrally formed as a single, one-piece container.

Referring to FIG. 4, in this illustrated example, the food items positioned in the container 100 are cupcakes 140, but alternatively may be another type of suitable food item. The cavities 106 a-d in the base are each configured to contain respective ones of the cupcakes 140, with respective ones of the cupcakes 140 nested within respective ones of the cavities.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, each cupcake 140 has a cupcake body portion 142 (generally made of an edible material) contained in a wrapper 158.

In the illustrate example, the body portion 142 of a cupcake 140 has a lower or bottom surface 144, an upper surface 146 and an outer or side surface 148 extending from the lower body surface 144 to the upper body surface 146. The body portion 142 may include a baked cake, or cake-like food product. Alternatively, the body portion 142 may be formed by another type of edible food product.

Optionally, some or all of the upper body surface 146 of the cupcake body 142 portion can be decorated, for example using another edible food product, such as icing or frosting 150. In some configurations, substantially the entire upper body surface 146 of the body portion 142 may be covered in frosting 150. Alternatively, the frosting 150 may be limited to only a portion of the upper body surface 146, providing a decorated section 152 and a corresponding undecorated section 154 of the upper body surface 146. If the frosting 150 is generally centered relative to the body portion 142, the undecorated portions 154 of the upper body surface 146 may form part of (or optionally all of) an undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140 that generally surrounds the central, decorated section 152 of the upper body surface 146.

In some instances, the frosting 150 will be relatively soft and fragile, and may be prone to deformation or other damage if it comes into contact with another object or surface. Such damage to the frosting 150 may make the decorated cupcake 140 less visually appealing or otherwise interfere with the aesthetic presentation of the cupcake, or other such decorated food item. When transporting such decorated food items (for example from a production facility to a retail store), it may be desirable to reduce the likelihood that the decorated section of the food item, e.g. the frosted section, will be damaged during transport.

Optionally, the body portion of a food item can be wrapped or otherwise covered by a non-edible (i.e. a non-food product) wrapper or sleeve. The wrapper can be removable from the body portion of the food item so that a user may separate the wrapper from the food item prior to consuming the food item.

The wrapper may cover the bottom surface and some or all of the side surfaces of the body portion, but may leave substantially the entire upper body surface exposed for decorating. In this configuration, the wrapper may terminate in an upper wrapper edge that generally surrounds the upper surface of the food item body portion. If the food item is decorated, the decoration (e.g. frosting) may be limited to the upper body surface of the body portion, and may not be applied to cover the upper wrapper edge. In this configuration, the upper wrapper edge may form at least part of the undecorated peripheral section of the food item. If the frosting does not cover the entire upper body surface, the undecorated portions of the upper body surface (for example portions 154 of cupcake 140) may also form part of the undecorated peripheral section (for example section 156 in FIG. 6) of the assembled food item. That is, the undecorated periphery or perimeter of a frosted cupcake (or other such food item) may include a combination of edible and inedible material (e.g. the undecorated portions of the edible body portion upper surface and the upper wrapper edge).

One example of a suitable wrapper is a paper “cup”-type wrapper commonly used in the preparation and baking of cupcakes. Such paper wrappers can be placed in a cupcake baking pan and then filled with cupcake batter. The wrappers can be corrugated, smooth or have any other suitable configuration. When the cupcake bodies are baked, the batter is transformed into a cake product and bonds to the paper wrapper. Alternatively, the wrapper need not be paper, and may be formed from any suitable material, including, for example, metal, plastic, silicone and other materials. Preferably, the material of the wrapper is selected to be generally food safe, such that it will not contaminate the food product contained therein. The wrapper may be bonded to the food item during the cooking or preparation process, as described above, or may be attached to an already-prepared food item body portion. The wrapper may be a single-use wrapper that is intended to be disposed after it is separated from the body portion (e.g. a paper wrapper) or may be a re-useable wrapper that is intended to be re-filled with edible food products.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated example the cupcakes 140 include paper wrappers 158. Each wrapper 158 covers the bottom surfaces 144 and the side surfaces 148 of the body portion 142 of a respective cupcake 140, but leaves the upper body surface 146 exposed for decorating. In this configuration, the wrapper 158 terminates at an upper wrapper edge 160 that generally surrounds the upper body surface 146 of the cupcake body portion 142. The upper edge 160 of the paper wrapper 158 forms a generally continuous perimeter around the exposed, upper body surface 146. In this configuration, the wrapper is sized so that the upper wrapper edge 160 extends slightly above the upper body surface 146 in the vertical direction (as illustrated).

In the illustrated example, the wrapper 158 is located between the side surface 148 of the cupcake body 142 and an inner surface 162 of its respective cavity 106. In the illustrated example, the upper wrapper edge 160 and upper body surface 146 each form part of an upper surface of the cupcake 140. Alternatively, the upper wrapper edge 160 may be positioned only part way up the side surface 146 of the body portion 142.

Referring again to FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, an undecorated portion 154 of the upper body surface 146 surrounds the decorated central section 152, and the frosting 150 does not cover the upper wrapper edge 160. In this configuration, the undecorated portions 154 of the cupcake upper body surface 146 and the upper wrapper edge 162 cooperate to define the undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140. Alternatively, the frosting 150 may extend to the edges of the upper body surface 146 and the undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140 may only include the upper wrapper edge 160. In the illustrated example, the wrapper 158 is removable from the body portion 142 prior to consumption of the cupcake 140.

Each cupcake 140 has an outer surface, which contacts and is supported by an inner surface 162 of its respective cavity. In the illustrated example the outer surface of the cupcake 140 that is supported by the inner surface 162 of the cavity 106 is the outer surface the wrapper 158. Alternatively, it can be the side surface 148 and bottom surface 144 of the body portion 142 of the cupcake 140 (or the surfaces of any other type of food item that is not contained in a removable, inedible wrapper).

Referring to FIG. 1, optionally, the inner surfaces 162 a-d of the cavities 106 a-d can be shaped to closely correspond to the shape of the food items that are to be placed in the cavities. Shaping the cavities to match the contour of the food items may further assist in providing a snug fit of the food items within the cavities so that lateral movement of the food items relative to the base is inhibited. Referring to FIG. 4, in the illustrated example the inner surface includes the surface of a generally frusto-conical cavity sidewall 164 and a cavity bottom wall 166. Each cavity sidewall 164 a-d extends upward along a respective cavity axis 170 a-d from the cavity bottom wall 166 and generally terminates in a respective cavity rim 168 a-d, located at the open, upper end of the cavity 106 a-d (see also FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 3, in the illustrated example, the container 100 includes four cavities 106 a-d arranged in a 2×2 matrix configuration. Optionally, in other configurations, the container can include fewer than four cavities (e.g. between 1-3 cavities) or more than four cavities, and the cavities can be arranged in a plurality of different configurations. For example, the container can be configured to have a different number of cavities, for example, 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 18 and 24 cavity containers, and the cavities can be arranged in a plurality of different configurations, including, for example 1×2, 2×3, 2×4, 3×3, 2×5, 3×4, 4×4, 3×6, 3×8 and 4×6 configurations.

To help limit axial or vertical movement between the cupcakes 140 within their respective cavities 106 a-d the container 100 includes one or more retainers for engaging the cupcakes when the lid 108 is closed. Optionally, the container 100 can be configured to include at least one retainer, and preferably two or more retainers, to engage each cupcake 140 in the container 100. The retainers can be provided on the lid 108 so that closing the lid moves the retainers into a desired retaining position. The retainers can be provided at any suitable location(s) on the lid 108, including for example extending inwardly from the lid sidewall 114 and/or being provided on one or more internal protrusions or other such features provided on the lid 108, as described below. Optionally, the retainers may be integrally formed with the lid 108, or alternatively, may be separate members connected to the lid 108 in desired locations.

Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example the container 100 includes a protrusion 172 extending downwardly from the upper lid surface 112, when the lid 108 is in the closed position. The protrusion 172 has a distal end 174 that is spaced apart from the upper lid surface 112. Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, the protrusion 172 includes a generally hollow interior 178 that is bounded by a protrusion lower end wall 180 and a protrusion sidewall 182 that extends from the upper lid surface 112 to the protrusion lower end wall 180. The upper end of the protrusion side wall 182 terminates at an aperture 184 in the upper lid surface 112, and the upper end of the protrusion 172 is open providing access to the hollow interior 178 of the protrusion 172. The lid aperture 184 and protrusion interior 178 can be of any desirable size and shape that is compatible with a given base portion 102 and given baked goods. Optionally, the aperture 184 and hollow interior 178 can function as a grip member and can be sized to accommodate insertion of a thumb or finger(s) of a user grasping the container 100. Providing such a grip member may help a user grasp the container 100 using a single hand when the lid 108 is closed. Configuring the container to help facilitate single-handed manipulation may make it easier for a user to grasp or carry. Providing a grip member may also help reduce the amount of downward compression a user must apply to the upper lid surface 112 to firmly or securely grasp the container. Reducing the amount of downward compression on the upper lid surface 112 may help reduce the inward deflection of the upper lid surface 112 and may help prevent the upper lid surface 112 from being deflected inwardly and contacting the frosting 150 when the container is being grasped or manipulated.

In the illustrated example the protrusion 172 is integral with the upper lid surface 112. In other examples, the protrusion 172 may be a separate member that is affixed to the upper lid surface 112.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the example illustrated, when the lid 108 is in the closed position the protrusion 172 extends downward from the upper lid surface 112 toward the base 102 at a location on the base 102 that is positioned generally laterally between the first, second, third and fourth cavities 106 a-d.

Referring to FIG. 1, the container 100 also includes a plurality of retainers that are configured to help retain the cupcakes within their respective cavities, and to inhibit vertical movement of the cupcakes relative to the base when the lid is in the closed position. In the illustrated example, the container includes a plurality of retainers 188 a-d associated with the sidewall 114 of the lid 108 (sidewall retainers), and a plurality of retainers 190 a-d positioned toward the distal end 174 of the protrusion 172 (protrusion retainers). In the illustrated example, each cavity 106 a-d is provided with one sidewall retainer 188 and one protrusion retainer 190. In the following description, each retainer is identified using a two part naming system that identifies both the feature on which the retainer is formed, and the cavity into which the retainer extends. For example, the term “protrusion first retainer” identifies the retainer that is affixed to the distal end of the protrusion and interacts with the first cavity. Similarly, the term “sidewall second retainer” identifies the retainer that is affixed to the lid sidewall and interacts with the second cavity. One retainer is described in detail below, and the features and functions described may be common to all of the retainers 188 a-d and 190 a-d.

In the illustrated example, the protrusion includes a protrusion first retainer 190 a that is adjacent the distal end 174 of the protrusion 172. When the lid 108 is in the closed position the protrusion first retainer 190 a is positioned proximate the first cavity 106 a to engage the cupcake 140 nested therein. Referring to FIG. 4, in the illustrated configuration, when the lid is closed the protrusion first retainer 190 a overlies the undecorated marginal or peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140 in the first cavity 106 a. In the illustrated example, the cupcake 140 and retainer 190 a are sized and configured so that the undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140 that is engaged by the protrusion first retainer 190 a is generally limited to the upper wrapper edge 160 of the wrapper 158, and the protrusion first retainer 190 a does not extend over or contact the upper body surface 146 of the body portion 142 of the cupcake 140.

Configuring the protrusion first retainer 190 a to contact substantially only the upper wrapper edge 160, instead of contacting portions of the edible body portion 142, may help prevent the edible body portion 142 from being squeezed or otherwise damaged by contacting the protrusion first retainer 190 a. This may help preserve the quality and aesthetic appearance of the cupcakes 140.

For some food products, the preparation of the edible body portion may result in body portions of slightly different sizes and shapes. For example, baking a plurality of cupcake bodies may produce body portions having upper body surfaces that are slightly different from each other. Such variations may affect the height or position of the upper body surface relative to the cavity when the body portions are placed in the container. For some food items, the inedible wrappers may have generally more consistent dimension and/or physical properties than the edible body portions contained therein.

In the illustrated example, the paper wrappers 158 used to surround the cupcakes may be substantially identical. Due to the consistency between multiple wrappers 158, when a wrapped cupcake is placed in its cavity, the position of the upper wrapper edge 160 relative to the protrusion first retainer 190 a may be more uniform or consistent, from cupcake to cupcake, than the position of the upper body surface 146 relative to the protrusion first retainer 190 a. Configuring the protrusion first retainer 190 a to engage the upper wrapper edge 160, instead of the edible upper body surface 146, may allow for tighter tolerances on the design of the protrusion first retainer 190 a and the positioning of the protrusion first retainer 190 a relative to the expected position of the upper wrapper edge 160.

In some configurations the wrappers 158 may tend to be more rigid and/or durable than the edible body portions. Positioning the retainers to engage the generally more rigid upper wrapper edge 160, instead of or in addition to engaging a portion of the upper body surface 146, may help reduce uncertainty regarding the potential deflection or deformation of the food item when it contacts the retainers. Sufficiently high deflection or deformation of the food item may reduce the effectiveness of the retainers at retaining the food items within their cavities 160 a-d, and/or may result in the food item pivoting about the cavity relative to the cavity axis. Pivoting of the food items may allow the decorated portions (i.e. the frosting 150) to contact the lid sidewall 114 or other portions of the container 100 which may damage the decorated section of the food item even if the decorated section does not contact the upper lid surface 112.

In the illustrated example, the container 100 is configured so that the first protrusion retainer 190 a extends laterally inwardly of the first cavity rim 168 a and overlies a portion of the interior of the first cavity 106 a. Alternatively, for example if the undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake extends sufficiently laterally beyond of the cavity rim 168, the protrusion first retainer 190 a (and any other retainers provided in proximity to the first cavity 106 a) need not extend laterally inboard of the cavity rim 168 a in order to overlie the undecorated peripheral section 156 and retain the cupcake 140 within the first cavity 106 a.

Referring to FIG. 4, the protrusion also includes a protrusion second retainer 190 b, which is also affixed to the protrusion 172 adjacent the distal end 174 thereof. When the lid 108 is in the closed position the protrusion second retainer 190 b is positioned proximate the second cavity 106 b to engage the cupcake 140 nested within the second cavity 106 b, and overlies the undecorated marginal or peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140 in the second cavity 106 b. Optionally, as explained above, the protrusion second retainer 190 b may extend laterally inwardly of the second cavity rim 168 b and may overlie a portion of the second cavity 106 b. In this configuration, when the lid 108 is closed and the container is inverted, axial movement of the cupcakes 140 relative to the cavities 106 a and 106 b can be limited by contact between the retainers 190 a and 190 b and the undecorated sections 156 of the cupcakes 140.

Referring also to FIG. 3, in the example illustrated, the protrusion 172 also includes a protrusion third retainer 190 c which, when the lid 108 is closed, is proximate the third cavity 106 c, overlies the undecorated marginal or peripheral section of the cupcake in the third cavity 106 c and, in the illustrated example, extends laterally inwardly of the third cavity rim 168 c. The protrusion 172 further includes, in the example illustrated, a protrusion fourth retainer 190 d which, when the lid 108 is closed, is proximate the fourth cavity 106 d, overlies the undecorated marginal or peripheral section of the cupcake in the fourth cavity 106 d and, in the illustrated example, extends laterally inwardly of the fourth cavity rim 168 d.

The protrusion retainers 190 a-d may help retain the cupcakes 140 within their corresponding cavities 106 a-d when the container 100 is inverted, tilted, shaken or jostled in a vertical direction, for example when the container 100 is being transported.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated example, the protrusion 172 extends lengthwise along a protrusion axis 192. Referring also to FIG. 3, in the illustrated example, each of the cavity axes 170 a-d and the protrusion axis 192 are generally parallel to, and laterally offset from each other when the lid 108 is closed, and the protrusion axis 192 is laterally spaced between two or more of the plurality of cavity axes 170 a-d.

In the illustrated example, when the lid 108 is in the closed position, the protrusion 172 is generally centered laterally between the first, second, third and fourth cavities 106 a-d and the protrusion axis 192 is generally equidistant from the first, second, third and fourth cavity axes 170 a-d. In the example illustrated, the four cavities 106 a-d are arranged in a 2×2 matrix with the axes 170 a-d of the cavities positioned relative to each other to form the corners of a generally square shape when viewed in plan view (FIG. 3). In the illustrated configuration, the protrusion axis 192 is positioned generally coincident with the intersection of two diagonals or planes 194 and 196, each diagonal connecting together a pair of cavity axes at opposite corners of the square pattern (e.g. plane 194 contains axes 170 a and 170 d, and plane 196 contains axes 170 b and 170 c). When illustrated in plan view, as shown in FIG. 3, the planes 194 and 196 are represented by diagonal lines extending between pairs of cavity axes.

In the illustrated example, the retainers have generally the same configuration, and analogous features can be provided on each retainer. Therefore, the detailed description of the protrusion third retainer, included below, is understood to apply to each of the retainers and the relationship between the retainers and their corresponding food items and cavities.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the protrusion third retainer 190 c includes an upright surface 198 c and a generally planar abutment surface 200 c. The intersection of the upright surface 198 c and the abutment surface 200 c defines a retainer edge 202 c. In this configuration, the abutment surface 200 c extends generally radially between the retaining edge 202 c and the protrusion axis 192.

Optionally, the shape of the retaining edge 202 c can be selected to generally match the shape of the cavity rim 168 c. Referring to FIG. 1, in the illustrated example, the cavity rim 168 c is generally circular, centered about the cavity axis 170 c and has a desired radius of curvature. The retaining edge 202 c is also arcuate and is shaped to generally correspond to the radius of curvature of the cavity rim 168 c. Alternatively, the shape of the retaining edge 202 c need not correspond to the shape of the cavity rim 168 c.

The arc length 204 c of the retaining edge 202 c can be selected so that the retaining edge 202 c, and associated abutment surface 200 c, can overlie a desired segment of the cavity rim 168 c and/or a desired length the undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140 in the third cavity 106 c (e.g. the upper wrapper edge 160 in the illustrated example). For example, the arc length 204 c of the retaining edge 202 c can be between about 1% and about 50% of the circumference (or length) of the cavity rim 168 c and/or of perimeter length of the upper wrapper edge 160, and optionally can be between about 5% and about 35%, or greater than 50%, of the cavity rim 168 c length or upper wrapper edge 160 length. The arc length of the sidewall retainers 188 a-d, for example arc length 206 c of sidewall retainer 188 c, may be the same as the length of the protrusion retainers 190 a-d, or, as illustrated may be greater than the lengths of the protrusion retainers 190 a-d. In the illustrated example, arc length 206 c is greater than arc length 204 c, and may be between about 1% and about 65% of the length of the cavity rim 168 c and/or of the upper wrapper edge 160.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the lid 108 is closed, the abutment surface 200 c is generally downward facing and is generally parallel to a plane that contains the cavity rim 168 c.

In the illustrated example, the container is configured so that the abutment surface 200 c bears against the undecorated peripheral portion 156 of the cupcake 140 (in this example the upper wrapper edge 160) in the third cavity 106 c.

Alternatively, the retainers, including the protrusion third retainer 190 c, can be positioned so that when the container 100 is upright and the lid is closed the retainers are adjacent to, but not in contact with, the undecorated peripheral section 156 of the cupcake 140, and will only come into contact with the upper wrapper edge 160 when the container 100 is tilted or inverted. In this configuration, when the lid 108 is closed the abutment surface, for example surface 200 c, would remain spaced apart from the upper wrapper edge 160 by a generally vertical retainer spacing distance (see for example distance 3207 in FIG. 13a ). This may help reduce the risk that the protrusion third retainer 190 c will compress, crush or otherwise damage portions of the cupcake 140 when the lid is closed. This may also help the container accommodate slight variations in cupcake size, wrapper height, container dimensional tolerances, cupcake placement irregularities, without requiring adjustment or repositioning of the first protrusion retainer. In this configuration, when the lid 108 is closed and the container is inverted, the cupcake 140 may be allowed to shift axially relative to its cavity until it has moved so that its upper wrapper edge 160 contacts the corresponding abutment surface. The amount of axial cupcake travel may generally correspond to the vertical retainer spacing distance.

Preferably, the retainer spacing distance (not shown) is less than the axial spacing 208 between a plane 206 (FIG. 6) containing the upper most portions of the frosting 150 and the upper lid surface 112. Configuring the container 100 so that the retainer offset distance is less than the decoration spacing distance 208 may help ensure that the cupcake 140 does not move far enough in the axial direction to allow the frosting 150 to contact the inside of the upper lid surface 112. Optionally, the retainer spacing distance when the lid is closed and the container is upright may be any suitable distance, including for example, between about 0 mm to about 15 mm and between about 1 mm to about 5 mm or greater than 15 mm.

Referring to FIG. 6, the third cavity 106 c has a cavity depth 210 measured from the plane 212 containing cavity rim 168 c to the cavity bottom wall 166 c in the direction the cavity axis 170 c. When the lid 108 is in the closed position there may be a longitudinal distance 214 between a plane 216 containing the abutment surface 200 c and the plane 212. The longitudinal distance 214 can be less than about 15% of the cavity depth 210, between about 15% to about 25% of the cavity depth 210, and optionally can be greater than 25% of the cavity depth 210.

The protrusion 172 has a protrusion height 218 measured axially from the upper lid surface 112 to plane 216. The protrusion height 218 can be selected based on the size of the food item that is to be held in the container. Preferably, the protrusion height 218 is at least equal to the height of the frosting 150 on the cupcake 140. This may help prevent the upper lid surface 112 from contacting the frosting 150 when the lid is closed. Optionally, the protrusion height 218 can be greater than the height of the frosting by an amount selected to provide a desired decoration spacing distance 208.

Referring to FIG. 1, optionally, the protrusion 172 can include a protrusion engagement member 220 that is provided on the distal end 174 of the protrusion 172 and is configured to mate with a corresponding base engagement member 222 when the lid is closed. In the illustrated example, the protrusion engagement member 220 is a boss that can fit, and optionally snap-fit, into a corresponding recess 222 on the base. Optionally, providing a snap-fit between the boss 220 and the recess 222 may help secure the lid 108 in the closed position. Optionally, the protrusion and base engagement members 220, 222 can also be configured to serve as locating or alignment members. For example, as the lid 108 is closing, contact between a generally curved boss 220 and the recess 222 may help urge the protrusion 172 toward its desired lateral position, and may help ensure that the distal end 174 of the protrusion 172 is properly located between the cavities 106 a-d while the lid is closed. Providing cooperating locating members on the protrusion 172 and the base 102 may help prevent the distal end 174 of the protrusion 172 from becoming misaligned and intruding into one of the cavities 106 a-d, potentially damaging a cupcake.

The sidewall retainers 188 a-d are configured to operate in a manner analogous to the protrusion retainers 190 a-d described above, and include analogous features. In the illustrated example, when the lid 108 is in the closed position each sidewall retainer 188 a-d is positioned proximate a respective cavity 106 a-d and overlies a portion of the undecorated peripheral sections 156 of the cupcakes 140 contained therein. Optionally, the sidewall retainers 188 a-d can extend laterally inwardly of their corresponding cavity rims 168 a-d.

In the illustrated example, the sidewall retainer and the protrusion retainer for a given cavity, for example the protrusion third retainer 190 c and the sidewall third retainer 188 c, can co-operate to help retain the cupcake within the cavity 106 c. The sidewall and protrusion retainers can be structurally the same or similar, or can be structurally different. In the illustrated example, each sidewall retainer comprises a sidewall retainer abutment surface 226 and a sidewall retainer retaining edge 228, which are analogous to the abutment surface 200 c and retaining edge 202 c described above.

Optionally, the container 100 can be of one-piece, integrally formed unitary construction including the base 102, lid 108, the protrusion 172 extending downwardly from the upper lid surface 112, the protrusion retainers 190 a-d, the sidewall retainers 188 a-d and the hinge 116 that pivotably connects the lid 108 and the base 102. Alternatively, the lid 108 and base 102 can be separately formed members and can be connected together using a hinge or another suitable, openable or releasable connection mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 8, another example of a container 1100 in accordance with aspects of the applicant's teaching is described, having a base with six cavities 1106 a-f (referred to as a six-pack container). The six-pack container 1100 has similar features to the four-pack container 100, and similar features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 1000.

The base 1102 of the six-pack container includes a first cavity 1106 a having a first cavity rim 1168 a, a second cavity 1106 b having a second cavity rim 1168 b, a third cavity 1106 c having a third cavity rim 1168 c, a fourth cavity 1106 d having a fourth cavity rim 1168 d, a fifth cavity 1106 e having a fifth cavity rim 1168 e and a sixth cavity 1106 f having a sixth cavity rim 1186 f. The six cavities 1106 a-f are arranged in a 2×3 matrix configuration.

The container 1100 includes a lid 1108 hingedly connected to the base 1102, and the lid 1108 is moveable between a closed position (FIG. 9) and an open position (FIG. 8). The lid 1108 includes a lid peripheral edge 1110, a lid sidewall 1114, a lid upper surface 1112 and two retaining protrusions 1172 a and 1172 b extending from the lid upper surface 1112. Protrusions 1172 a and 1172 b may be generally identical and can include analogous features. In the example illustrated, the first and second protrusions 1172 a and 1172 b are connected to each other. Alternatively, the first and second protrusions 1172 a and 1172 b can be discrete members.

Like the container 100 described above, the six-pack container 1100 includes a plurality of retainers to help vertically secure food items, such as cupcakes, within their respective cavities. The plurality of retainers can include a plurality of protrusion retainers and a plurality of sidewall retainers.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of protrusion retainers 1190 can be provided on the distal ends 1174 a and 1174 b of each of the first and second protrusions 1172 a and 1172 b. In the illustrated example, the first and second protrusions 1172 a and 1172 b each include four protrusion retainers. The first protrusion 1172 a includes a first protrusion first retainer 1190 a, a first protrusion second retainer 1190 b, a first protrusion third retainer 1190 c and a first protrusion fourth retainer 1190 d. The second protrusion 1172 b includes a second protrusion second retainer 1190 bb (i.e. a retainer 1190 that is located on the second protrusion 1172 b and that is associated with the second cavity 1106 b), a second protrusion fourth retainer 1190 dd, a second protrusion fifth retainer 1190 e and a second protrusion sixth retainer 1190 f. Each protrusion retainer 1190 has a respective retainer edge 1202 and abutment surface 1200.

In this configuration, some of the cavities, for example the second and fourth cavities 1106 a and 1106 d are invaded by retainers on more than one protrusion. When the lid 1108 is closed, both the first protrusion second retainer 1190 b and the second protrusion second retainer 1190 bb can engage a cupcake within the second cavity 1106 b to help inhibit vertical movement of the cupcake 1140. Like cupcakes 140, the cupcakes 1140 each include a body 1142 and are topped with frosting 1150. Similarly, both the first protrusion fourth retainer 1190 d and the second protrusion fourth retainer 1190 dd can cooperate to help retain a cupcake in the fourth cavity 1106 d.

Referring to FIG. 8, optionally, two or more of the protrusion retainers can be connected together to form a generally continuous retaining member, having a generally continuous retaining edge. For example, in the illustrated example, the first protrusion second retainer 1190 b and the second protrusion second retainer 1190 bb are joined together to form a generally continuous retaining edge that extends approximately half way around the second cavity rim 1168 b (i.e. has a length that is between about 35% and about 60% or approximately about 50% of the second cavity rim length). In this configuration, the total length of the protrusion retaining edges that can act to retain a cupcake in the second cavity (i.e. the sum of the lengths of the first protrusion second retaining edge and the second protrusion second retaining edge) can be greater than the length of the retaining edge(s) associated within another one of the cavities, for example the first protrusion first retaining edge.

Optionally the lid 1108 can be configured to include a sidewall first retainer 1188 a, a sidewall second retainer 1188 b, a sidewall third retainer 1188 c, a sidewall fourth retainer 1188 d, a sidewall fifth retainer 1188 e and a sidewall sixth retainer 1188 f. In this example, the lid comprises one sidewall retainer for each of the six cavities 1106 a-f. In the illustrated example, the sidewall retainers positioned toward the middle of the container, 1188 b and 1188 d, are smaller than sidewall retainers provided toward the corners of the container 188 a, 1188 c, 1188 e, and 1188 f. However, in the illustrated example the protrusion retainers positioned toward the middle of the container, 1190 b and 1190 bb, and 1190 d and 1190 dd are longer (when taken together) than the protrusion retainers 1190 a, 1190 c, 1190 e and 1190 f. Optionally, the retainers can be sized so that the total length of the retainers associated with each cavity may be approximately equal, or within about 25% of each other. For example the retainer length of the combination of 1190 a and 1188 a acting on the first cavity 1106 a may be approximately the same as the length of the combination of 1188 b, 1190 b and 1190 bb acting on the second cavity 1106 b.

Optionally, the number of cavities can be different than the number of sidewall retainers.

Referring to FIG. 12, another example of a container 2100 in accordance with aspects of the applicant's teaching is described, having a base with nine cavities 2106 a-I (referred to as a nine-pack container). The nine-pack container 2100 has similar features to the four-pack container, and similar features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 2000.

The nine-pack container 2100 includes nine cavities 2106 a-i arranged in a 3×3 configuration. Each cavity has a corresponding cavity rim and cavity sidewall, as described above.

The 9-pack 2100 container also includes a first protrusion 2172 a, a second protrusion 2172 b, a third protrusion 2172 c and a fourth protrusion 2172 d extending from the lid upper surface 2112.

The 9-pack 2100 container includes a plurality of retainers 2188 and 2190 to secure cupcakes within the nine cavities 2106 a-i. The plurality of retainers includes a plurality of protrusion retainers 2190.

The distal ends of the four protrusions 2172 a-d each comprise four protrusion retainers. Each protrusion retainer 2190 is configured to retain a respective cupcake in its cavity. For example, the first protrusion includes a first protrusion first retainer 2190 a, a first protrusion second retainer 2190 b, a first protrusion third retainer 2190 c and a first protrusion fourth retainer 2190 d, for retaining cupcakes in the first, second, third and fourth cavities 2106 a-d, respectively. As explained above, some or all of the four protrusions 2172 a-d can optionally be connected to each other, as illustrated.

Similarly, the fourth protrusion 2172 d comprises a fourth protrusion fourth retainer 2190 dddd, a fourth protrusion sixth retainer 2190 ff, a fourth protrusion eighth retainer 2190 h and a fourth protrusion ninth retainer 2190 i for engaging cupcakes in the fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth cavities 2106 d, 2106 f, 2106 h and 2106 i, respectively.

In the illustrated example, the fourth cavity 2106 d is an inboard cavity, which is not adjacent to any portion of the lid sidewall. In this configuration, the fourth cavity 2190 is engaged by four protrusion retainers (the first protrusion fourth retainer 2190 d, the second retainer fourth protrusion 2190 dd, the third retainer fourth protrusion 2190 ddd and the fourth retainer fourth protrusion 2190 dddd) and is not engaged by any sidewall retainers. Optionally, the first, second, third and fourth protrusion fourth retainers 2190 d-dddd can be interconnected to each other to provide a generally continuous, circular retaining edge that overlaps substantially the entire upper wrapper edge 2160 of the cupcake contained in the fourth cavity 2106 d.

Referring to FIG. 13, another example of a container 3100 in accordance with aspects of the applicant's teaching is described, having a base with one cavity (referred to as a single container). The single container 3100 has similar features to the four-pack container, and similar features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 3000.

Container 3100 includes a base 3102, containing a single cavity 3106 and a lid 3108 hingedly connected to the base 3102. In this configuration, the lid includes a first sidewall retainer 3188 a, a second sidewall retainer 3188 a, a third sidewall retainer 3188 aaa and a fourth sidewall retainer 3188 aaaa. Each retainer 3188 a-aaaa extends laterally inwardly from the lid sidewall 3114, and when the lid 3108 is closed, is positioned to overlie a respective portion of the undecorated peripheral section of the cupcake 3140 in the cavity 3106. In this example, the lid 3108 does not include a protrusion extending inwardly from the upper lid surface 3112. Instead, all of the retainers 3188 for engaging the cupcake 3140 are provided on the lid sidewall 3114.

Referring to FIG. 13a , optionally, the retainers 3188 can be sized so that the retainer edges 3228, and portions of the abutment surfaces 3226, extend laterally inboard of the cavity rim 3168 and are positioned laterally intermediate the cavity rim 3168 and the cavity axis 3170 and overlie the upper wrapper edge 3160 and undecorated portions 3154 of the upper body surface 3146. In this configuration the undecorated peripheral section 3156 that can be engaged by the retainers 3188 includes both the upper wrapper edge 3160 and at least some of the undecorated portions 3154 of the upper body surface 3146. In the illustrated example, the wrapper 3158 is sized so that when the lid 3108 is closed and the container is upright the upper wrapper edge 3160 are spaced apart from the abutment surfaces 3226 of the sidewall retainers 3188 by the retainer spacing distance 3207. The retainer spacing distance 3207 can be any suitable distance, and preferably is selected to be less than the decoration spacing distance 3208.

In the illustrated example, a label 3240 is affixed to the outside of the container 3100 and is connected to both the base 3102 and the lid 3108. The label 3240 can be adhered such that it is difficult to remove without tearing so that a user will tear the label 3240 when opening the lid 3108. This may serve as a tamper-evident feature, alerting a subsequent user to the fact that the container 3100 has been previously opened.

Referring to FIG. 15, a method 1500 of providing packaged food articles for display in a retail store begins at step 1502 with the preparation of a plurality of food body portions of respective food articles in a preparation facility. At step 1504, each body portion is decorated with a decoration portion on an upper surface of the food base portion.

After steps 1502 and 1504, at step 1506 the decorated food items are loaded into respective cavities of a container. The container has a plurality of retainers for securing the food items, and may have any of the features described herein. Optionally the container may include a lid with at least one protrusion having at least a first retainer and a second retainer extending laterally outwardly from a distal end of the protrusion.

After step 1506, at step 1508 the lid is closed to move the retainers into position in which they overlie respective portions of the undecorated peripheral sections of their respective food items. first retainer to engage a first marginal portion of a first upper surface of a first food item in the container and moves the second retainer to engage a second marginal portion of a second upper surface of a second food item in the container.

After step the lid is closed, step 1510 includes transporting the container away from the preparation facility for indirect or direct delivery to the retail store.

Optionally, at step 1512, the decorated food items can be frozen prior to delivery to the retail store.

At step 1514, the container can be placed for display on a sales shelf in the retail store.

Optionally, before step 1514 the food items can be thawed at step 1516.

What has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting. Modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. 

1. A method of providing packaged food items on display in a retail store, comprising: a) preparing a plurality of food body portions of respective food items in a preparation facility; b) after step (a), loading each of the food items into respective cavities of a container, the container having a lid with a substantially planar upper lid surface covering the cavities when the lid is closed and at least one protrusion extending downward from the upper lid surface, the protrusion having at least a first retainer and a second retainer extending laterally outwardly from a distal end of the protrusion; c) after step (a), decorating each of the food body portions of the food items with a decoration portion on an upper surface of the food body portion; d) after step (c), closing the lid, wherein closing the lid moves the first retainer to overlie a first marginal portion adjacent the decoration portion of a first upper surface of a first food item in the container and moves the second retainer to overlie a second marginal portion adjacent the decoration portion of a second upper surface of a second food item in the container; and e) after step (d), placing the container for display on a sales shelf in the retail store.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising after steps (a) and (b), and before step (d), freezing the food items.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising, before said placing step and after said freezing step, thawing the food items.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preparing step (a) comprises dispensing batter into a plurality of wrappers disposed on a baking pan, and baking the batter to form the body portions of baked batter, wherein the upper surface of the body portion is formed by a top surface of the baked batter extending across an upper end of the body portion, and wherein each body portion has a side surface of baked batter extending downward from the upper surface, at least a portion of the side surface of each body portion having a respective wrapper removably bonded thereto.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the loading step (a) comprises removing the body portions from the baking pan.
 6. A method of packaging decorated food items in a visually appealing manner, comprising: a) nesting first, second, third, and fourth food items in respective first, second, third, and fourth cavities in a base of a container, the cavities arranged in a two-by-two pattern, each food item including an upper surface directed away from the base, b) prior to at least step c), providing a decorated section on the upper surface of the food item, the decorated section at least partially bounded by an undecorated peripheral section; and c) closing a lid onto the base, the lid having a lid peripheral edge and a substantially planar upper lid surface connected about a perimeter thereof to the lid peripheral edge by a lid sidewall, and the lid having a retaining protrusion extending downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion including first, second, third, and fourth protrusion retainers for abutting respective portions of the undecorated sections of the first, second, third, and fourth food items, respectively, to limit displacement of the food items out of the cavities.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the upper lid surface, the lid sidewall, and the retaining protrusion are integrally formed of a transparent plastic material.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the first, second, third and fourth protrusion retainers abut the respective portions of the undecorated sections of the first, second, third, and fourth food items generally constantly when the food items are in the cavities and the lid is closed, to inhibit the decorated section from contacting an inner surface of the lid.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth protrusion retainers abut the respective portions of the undecorated sections of the first, second, third, and fourth food items only when the food items are urged upwards towards the closed lid during handling of the container, to inhibit the decorated section from contacting an inner surface of the lid.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the closing step moves the first, second, third, and fourth retainers to respective positions protruding laterally inwardly of respective first, second, third, and fourth cavity rims at upper ends of the first, second, third, and fourth cavities.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lid, including the upper lid surface, the lid sidewall, and the retaining protrusion, and the base, including the cavities and the cavity rims, are integrally formed of a transparent plastic material, the lid and base connected to each other by a living hinge, and wherein closing the lid onto the base comprises pivoting the lid about the living hinge.
 12. A method of packaging decorated food items, comprising: a) nesting first, second, third, and fourth food items in respective first, second, third, and fourth cavities in a base of a container, the cavities arranged in a two-by-two pattern, each food item including an upper surface having a decorated section at least partially bounded by an undecorated peripheral section; and b) closing a lid onto the base, the lid having a lid peripheral edge and a substantially planar upper lid surface connected about a perimeter thereof to the lid peripheral edge by a lid sidewall, and the lid having a retaining protrusion extending downwardly from the upper lid surface when the lid is in the closed position, the retaining protrusion including first, second, third, and fourth protrusion retainers for overlying a portion of the undecorated section of the first, second, third, and fourth food items, respectively, to limit displacement of the food items out of the cavities.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein when nested in the respective cavities, and with the lid closed, a gap of limited vertical extent is provided between the respective protrusion retainers and the portions of the undecorated sections of the respective food items so that the displacement of the food items out of the cavities is limited to about the vertical extent of the gap.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein an outer side surface of each food item is wrapped by a wrapper, and the portion of the undecorated section of each respective food item comprises an upper edge of the wrapper.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising prior to step a), preparing the first, second, third, and fourth food items by dispensing batter in first, second, third, and fourth removable wrappers disposed on a baking pan, and then baking the batter to form baked body portions, wherein the upper surface of each food item is formed by a top surface of the baked batter of a respective body portion.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein each the respective body portion of each food item has a side surface of baked batter extending downward from the top surface, and wherein each wrapper is removably bonded to a portion of the side surface of each respective body portion. 